Thursday, November 17, 2011

Getting Started on the School Year

Question: What is some
good advice for the new teacher?

Answer/Quotes:

> “Wall displays are most effective
when students and teachers coproduce these. Consequently, classroom wall spaces
need not be filled on the first day of school.” P. 98. [Comment: The best displays
are of student work. RayS.]

> “When children enter the classroom,
they should have a series of tasks that are to be accomplished immediately.” P.
100.[Comment: When I was teaching in high school, I would have one of two
activities right at the beginning, a spelling test or a 10-minute essay on a
topic of their choice. RayS.]

> “Understanding where your students
are now and where they need t be at the end of the year is very important.” P.
101.

> “When planning daily instruction,
remember to plan emergency time fillers to help reinforce skills that are part
of the scope and sequence of skills.” P. 106.

> “Join a professional literacy
organization such as the International Reading Association [or the National
Council of Teachers of English] and get involved.”

And,
finally:

“Lastly, read. Read books outside of
education, books that address issues in medicine, business,, and the world. Get
to know what is going on nationally and glob ally. Read for fun. Have a book
that you read to escape. And last, carry books with you wherever you go. Be a
model of someone who loves to read and reads. And remember when talking with
students to be sure to regularly talk up and talk about books….”

Comment: Take it from me, a wizened old fogey who
survived 30 years as an English teacher and supervisor, this advice is good
advice. RayS.